The Mongolians have a variety of teas and rich Tea-drinking functions, which are also reflected in the unique characteristics of their tea-making utensils. The Mongolians, who have always lived a nomadic life, follow the water and pasture. They often choose durable and reliable items for daily use, so they tend to use tea wares made from materials such as wood, iron, and copper.

1. Primitive and Practical Tea-Making Tools

(1) Tea Mortar and Wooden Pestle

The tea mortar and wooden pestle are a set of tea-making tools used by the Mongolians to crush tea bricks in preparation for making milk tea. The tea mortar, known as “Aoguri” in Mongolian, is typically made from hard tree roots or metals like copper and iron. It stands two feet tall and has a diameter of 1.5 feet, with a cylindrical or conical shape. Its middle is hollowed out and decorated with patterns on the outside, used to hold the tea blocks that are to be crushed.

The wooden pestle is a stick made of wood that can be used not only for crushing tea but also for crushing mare's milk and rice. According to “The Secret History of the Mongols,” “Genghis Khan ignored Bekere's advice, broke off a branch, took out the wooden pestle used for crushing mare's milk, and struck, defeating the Zhurkin tribe…” This passage mentions the wooden pestle used for crushing mare's milk.

(2) Mongolian Knife

The Mongolians are skilled at horseback riding and archery, and are known for their straightforward personalities. The Mongolian knife is a beloved tool and ornament among this equestrian people. It is not only practical but also beautiful, and an indispensable tool in the lives of herdsmen. For a long time, the Mongolians drank compressed tea in the form of tea cakes and bricks. Mongolians carry knives with them at all times and have the habit of using small knives to break apart tea bricks. These small knives are made from high-quality steel, with sharp blades and beautifully adorned, showcasing national characteristics and being one type among many Mongolian knives.

(3) Jilabuchi

A pot used by herders, made of iron or copper. There is a rim around the middle part of the pot, and traditional patterns or even Mongolian script may be cast on the rim at the top. This pot is used for boiling meat and brewing milk tea, so it has a large capacity. Below the pot is a stand, which is composed of six or eight iron columns, with four or five iron rings around the center for reinforcement. The size of the iron pot varies depending on the need.

2. Distinctive Tea-Drinking Utensils

(1) Teapot

The Mongolians' Teapots were originally primarily wooden, but later became more commonly made from aluminum, copper, iron, silver, etc. Mongolian teapots are known as the “miraculous Benba bottle (Ambrosia bottle).” Teapots used in different regions vary. Generally, teapots have small spouts and large bases, made from aluminum or copper. The decoration styles of Mongolian teapots are diverse, often featuring floral designs, the Eight Auspicious Symbols, cloud patterns, and water patterns inlaid with silver and other metals on the lid, handle, and spout.

(2) Teacup

Mongolian Teacups come in three types: wooden cups, silver cups, and copper cups. Wooden cups are made from birch tree roots and are favored by Mongolian men for their lightness and portability. When traveling, they can be carried in one's arms, and when thirsty, taken out for Drinking Tea. Silver cups are made by plating a layer of silver over wooden cups, engraved with the Eight Auspicious Symbols, and are essential household items for entertaining honored guests. There is also a copper cup, usually without any decorative patterns, simple in texture, and more commonly used than silver cups.

(3) Khohure

A vessel for holding water, wine, and other beverages, made from horsehide or oxhide. It is shaped like a ingot, with a spout-like protrusion in the middle, a wooden stopper on top, and a hole in the top of the stopper through which a leather cord can be threaded. It can be hung from the body or from a horse, being sturdy and durable.

In their tea-drinking culture, while the Mongolians have adopted Han Chinese Tea culture, they have also developed and formed a cultural form with their own distinct characteristics. The diverse tea-drinking utensils of the Mongolians are rich in ethnic features, enriching the diversity of China's tea culture.